Book Critique: Vines Assignment
Paolino Curto
HOMI 635: Preaching for Special Occasions (B01)
October 10, 2025
Contents
Introduction............................................................................................................................1
Structural Overview and Content Summary............................................................................1
Analysis..................................................................................................................................2
Strengths..............................................................................................................................3
Weaknesses.........................................................................................................................4
Summary of Value...................................................................................................................4
Bibliography............................................................................................................................5
ii
1
Introduction
The modern era is one in which many pulpits have either become platforms for personal
opinion or mediums for unfaithful exposition of Scripture. In Power in the Pulpit: How to
Prepare and Deliver Expository Sermons, authors Jerry Vines and Jim Shaddix call back to the
vitality and importance of biblical preaching. Vines and Shaddix confront the often-unprepared
approach of preachers, relying on spontaneity instead of diligent study, seemingly starving their
congregation’s hunger and need for solid biblical teaching. Their stated purpose is specific: to
give practical help specifically to the man who is faced with the responsibility of preaching
weekly.”1 For students of preaching as well as any practicing ministers, Vines and Shaddix offer
valuable insights, some of which may be unthought of, developing a sustainable and faithful
approach to expository preaching despite their own admission of the overwhelming nature of
their process.
Structural Overview and Content Summary
Power in the Pulpit is organized into three parts, each addressing a distinct phase of the
expository preaching process. This structure reflects the two authors’ convictions that effective
expository preaching requires attention to preparation, process, and presentation of the
exposition.
They first begin with the preparation required for exposition. In this section, Vines and
Shaddix establish the foundational aspects of faithful expository preaching across three
chapters.
Apart from establishing theological rationale and a definitional basis for expository preaching,
Part 1 most interestingly offers insight into the importance of the development of a preacher,
emphasizing that “Both who the preacher is and what he believes play vital roles in both
sermon preparation and delivery.”2
1 Jerry Vines and Jim Shaddix, Power in the Pulpit: How to Prepare and Deliver Expository Sermons, rev.
ed. (Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2017), 18.
2 Jerry Vines and Jim Shaddix, Power in the Pulpit, 95.
2
In Part 2, the authors provide detailed guidance on sermon construction as they navigate
the nature of the interpretation process and the overall organization of the sermon. It is here
that they develop important characteristics of sound biblical interpretation, as well as the
unifying, outlining, amplifying, introducing, and concluding of the message. This section offers
methodology for moving from a biblical text to a sermon with careful attention to maintaining
the integrity of Scripture’s original meaning.
The final part comprises four chapters dedicated to the delivery of the sermon. In this
section, the authors aim to help in developing preaching style, proper use of the preacher’s
voice, connecting with the congregation, and keys to effective physical delivery. Throughout
Part 3, Vines and Shaddix emphasize that exegetically sound sermons still do require skillful
delivery to maximize their impact.
Analysis
Power in the Pulpit reveals both significant strengths and areas for improvement. The
authors excel in their comprehensive treatment of the preacher’s personal life and their call for
passionate communication that delivers sermons from the heart. Nevertheless, their approach
would benefit from more extensive guidance on handling diverse biblical genres and culturally
challenging texts.
Strengths
One of the most notable strengths of Power in the Pulpit lies in the holistic attention
the Authors give to preaching. Rather than treating sermon preparation solely as a technical or
academic exercise, Vines and Shaddix venture into the personal life and development of the
preacher, emphasizing the essentiality of spiritual formation, physical health, and character
development. They state aptly that, “The contemporary preacher must give attention to issues
like personal worship, character and integrity, dependence on the Holy Spirit, intellectual
3
development, physical fitness, good study habits, and healthy role models.”3 These can easily be
neglected aspects in preaching, but are vital. They argue from this position clearly and
effectively, pointing to the fact that “The Bible teaches the sacredness of the body. The
believer’s body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19), and the well-instructed believer
understands he has a responsibility to keep the temple in good shape. The better we care for
our bodies, the better we will be able to serve our Lord.”4
Another significant strength lies in the author's address of the personal nature of
preaching. The authors show how authentic preaching is not simply the delivery of the sermon
but the delivery of the preacher’s soul and thus, the preacher himself.5 This emphasis on heart
preaching serves well to the preacher that may overly rely on the technical aspects of sermon
preparation and delivery, which can reduce this sacred responsibility to a mechanical process
devoid of spiritual passion.
Weaknesses
Despite its many strengths, Power in the Pulpit contains a notable weakness. While
Vines and Shaddix mention various outlining approaches, their extended treatment focuses
primarily on analytical and key word methods, with only brief attention to narrative forms.6
Though no book could address every single aspect of preaching, it does appear noteworthy that
this emphasis may leave preachers struggling to faithfully exposit some of the various more
challenging books of the Bible to preach on. Additionally, the book would have gained further
strength if it provided more guidance on handling culturally problematic passages or texts that
contemporary audiences find offensive.
3 Vines and Shaddix, Power in the Pulpit, 95.
4 Vines and Shaddix, Power in the Pulpit, 117.
5 Vines and Shaddix, Power in the Pulpit, 320.
6 Vines and Shaddix, Power in the Pulpit, 199-208.
4
Summary of Value
Power in the Pulpit offers high value to both student and practicing expository
preachers, most notably in its holistic treatment of ministry preparation and the call for
passionate biblical proclamation. The comprehensive approach taken by Vines and Shaddix,
which encourages the development of the whole preacher, provides essential and refreshing
guidance often absent from homiletical preparatory texts. Those committed to weekly
exposition will find great value in this work and likely encounter an invaluable resource for
cultivating personal godliness and developing practical skills in sermon preparation and
delivery. The integration of theological conviction, emphasis on exegetical work, and
encouragement toward heartfelt communication make this a worthy addition to a preacher’s
library.
Bibliography
Vines, Jerry, and Jim Shaddix. Power in the Pulpit: How to Prepare and Deliver Expository
Sermons. Rev. ed. Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2017.
